One of Australia's most successful models, Lara Worthington, is setting her sights on tackling Australia's second biggest cancer killer, as an Ambassador for Bowel Cancer Australia.

Losing her father, Graham, to bowel cancer, Lara has chosen to do what she can to raise awareness about early detection of what is a largely preventable and curable disease.

Her father was diagnosed with advanced stage bowel cancer and the disease claimed his life at age 54, after a two year battle.

"Dad may still have been alive today if his cancer had been detected and treated earlier" she said.

1 in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. However, 90 percent of bowel cancers are curable if detected early.

"I hope that by sharing my experience and letting people know what my dad went through may help save lives."

"While most people my age don't think about bowel cancer, it is important they know their family's health history and talk to their parents about their bowel cancer risk, particularly if they're 50 or over."

"My dad was a landscaper by trade. He had an active, healthy lifestyle and a passion for surfing, which he enjoyed almost every day."

Lara said she will always cherish the surf trips to Byron Bay with her dad during her childhood.

Lara's dad had no obvious bowel cancer symptoms. In fact, he lived with the disease for almost two years without even knowing it.

"Like most men, dad rarely went to the doctor. It was actually my mother who persuaded him to go because he had a cough."

When he was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread from his bowel to his liver. He then underwent surgery and treatment for the disease.

"If you had seen him out and about, you wouldn't have known he was ill."

"After his diagnosis, I learned to take each day as it comes and spent as much time with him as possible."

"My dad was loved by so many people and the way he made people laugh, his kindness and thoughtfulness will always be in our hearts."

"Supporting Bowel Cancer Australia is a very personal way of honouring his memory."